The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, described by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission as a fictitious agency, reportedly operated for years while presenting itself as an authorised federal institution.
The organisation allegedly claimed that its activities had received Federal Executive Council approval in 2017, during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
It also created a nationwide administrative structure with zonal directors and state coordinators, apparently designed to give the organisation the appearance of a legitimate federal agency with representation across Nigeria.
The organisation was uncovered by the ICPC during investigations into the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and other weaknesses within the public service.
ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, said the organisation had been operating from office space allegedly allocated to it within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without presidential approval.
The commission identified George Nwabueze as the promoter of the organisation and alleged that he used several variations of his name, including George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.
The organisation’s website identified Nwabueze George as its Executive Director and National Coordinator.
Information on the website showed that the group had created an elaborate structure covering different parts of the country.
It claimed that the Federal Executive Council had approved a national campaign to encourage Nigerians to patronise locally produced goods at a meeting held on February 1, 2017, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The organisation also listed the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as the ministry responsible for implementing the programme.
Its stated objectives included promoting Nigerian brands, supporting local industries, reviving abandoned factories through investment arrangements, fighting counterfeit products and organising trade fairs to promote locally manufactured goods.
The website also referenced a purported 2025 bill seeking to establish a National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission.
However, the ICPC’s investigation has described the organisation as a fake office operating without the required government authorisation.
Nationwide structure
The organisation went beyond making claims about its mandate and established what appeared to be a nationwide leadership system.
At the top of the structure were Bassey B. Unaowo, presented as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs in the OSGF, and Hajara Njidda Amoni, listed as Director of National Administration.
Three zonal directors were also named. Oladunjoye Musiliua was listed for the South-West, Hafsat Sahabi Dange for the North and Ugochi Akudo Nwosu for the South-East.
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The organisation subsequently appointed coordinators for states across the country.
Among those listed in the North-West were Babangida Kabir Ruma for Katsina, Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim for Kaduna, Hussaini Abdullahi for Kebbi, Ibrahim Bello Marafa for Zamfara and Ibrahim Umar Aliyu for Sokoto.
The North-Central structure included Osolafia Muhammed for Nasarawa, Salome Audu Bidda for Plateau, Zainab Mohammed for Niger, Orduen Andrew Ikon and Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu for Benue and Olorukooba Bidemi for Kogi.
Farouq Siyi was listed as the coordinator for Bauchi in the North-East.
In the southern part of the country, Godwin Adolor was listed for Delta, while Nwosu Chinyere R. and Chiamaka Nnake were named as coordinators for Abia and Anambra.
The South-West structure included Orioye G. Benedict for Ondo, Kehinde Akintonide for Ogun, Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan for Osun and Bello Kolawole Ghaffar for Oyo.
Abubakar Ahmad Hichi, also known as “Khalifa”, was another name included in the structure.
The state coordinators reportedly used the title State Coordinator, National Brand Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office, while their profiles carried a green-and-white insignia bearing the words “National Brands Development, The Presidency, Made in Nigeria.”
The organisation also operated social media accounts under the handle @pmainpro on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
The online presence and nationwide appointments appeared designed to reinforce its claim of being a functioning federal institution.
Tinubu orders arrest, suspensions
The ICPC said the discovery was part of its wider investigation into fictitious agencies and weaknesses in the public service.
The investigation had earlier exposed the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, whose purported Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is facing prosecution over alleged forgery and impersonation.
Following the latest briefing, President Bola Tinubu ordered the arrest of Nwabueze.
The President also directed the suspension of three permanent secretaries identified as M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
The suspensions are expected to allow investigators to determine how the alleged fake agency secured office accommodation within the OSGF and whether government officials assisted its operations.
The ICPC said it had engaged officials of the OSGF to obtain further information and would continue investigating the individuals connected to the organisation and its nationwide network.
The commission is also expected to establish whether the alleged 2017 FEC approval existed and determine how the organisation operated for several years while presenting itself as a federal government establishment.
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